Task 1: (3 TPE)

Verification: Strongo

Task 2: (3 TPE)

If there's been one GM in the SHL who excelled at the job, look no further than the GM for the first 30 seasons in Winnipeg. Damian Littleton ran the Jets better than anyone in the same position. Always putting out a competitive team and getting the most out of his roster places him alone at the top of the podium. With too many quality roster moves to talk about, I'm going to hit on a couple of franchise changing ones.

First big trade was the very first trade in SHL history. After winning the draft lottery in Season 1, Littleton got a trade offer for it, getting offered a first round pick and an additional top 10 pick. With all the players on an even playing field, Littleton agreed, knowing an extra player would be huge. The trade between Winnipeg and Calgary was agreed upon, and Littleton was able to grab 3 future Hall of Famers in the first 2 rounds. The other huge trade was acquiring arguably the greatest player in SHL history in Ron Mexico. Trading a depth player to Hamilton for Mexico was almost criminal. Both these trades propelled Winnipeg to the first Challenge Cup in SHL history.

Through his 30 season career, Littleton very often fleeced his fellow GMs. He was also a master lines coach. No one got more out of less than Littleton did. He just knew what combos to roll and how to fit all the pieces together. The best GM in SHL history. They don't make them like him anymore.

(259 words)

Task 3: (3 TPE)

Coming off a few key losses to expansion, the Winnipeg Jets needed to hit on their first round pick in the Season 3 draft. The expansion Blizzard had taken two first liners from the Jets in Jay McDonald and Sergei Karpotsov. Sitting with the 6th overall pick, there was one name the Jets had on their list, Ford Prefect.

Ford quickly made a name for himself around the league, showing high activity levels and a commitment to developing his player. He was as can't miss as any player in the draft, a future star. The Jets sat and waited on draft day hoping he would drop. Luckily, there were a few players with ties to other teams so it gave Winnipeg a chance to land Ford. The stars aligned for the Jets that night and still there at 6 was their guy, the only one they marked down for that pick. They landed their franchise player.

Or so they thought. Ford Prefect started out OK, but quickly fell off. His activity levels dropped, his commitment to training slammed to a stop and poof. No one saw that coming from Ford. Every other GM was stunned at what happened to Ford Prefect. It was a brutal blow to the Jets, who thought they had a superstar and future captain. He didn't even last more than a couple of seasons. A massive bust that no one saw coming.

(236 words)

Task 6: (4 TPE)

a. What is worth more to you, a cup win in the FHM era or the STHS era?

I don't think there is a right answer here. In STHS, any team could win so it made it harder for GMs, you really had to keep making moves and tinkering with your lineup to get just the right combo. When you did, though, what a feeling to finally win one. In FHM, it's very tough to build a strong team, but once you get there, you can coast for a few seasons and dominate. The journey is longer in FHM, but feels too easy once you get there. I'll go with STHS, but only because I haven't won in FHM to compare them.

(104 words)

b. Be honest, would we have seen the same final 4 as last year (Chicago, Texas, Hamilton, Buffalo) had BUF/HAM and TEX/CHI not run into each other in the second round?

Honestly, probably. They would have beat any other team they faced until the conference finals. They are just too far ahead every other team in the league right now. Sure, you might take a game from them, but not 4 in 7. Having them face off in the semis was cool though because you at least saw a different team in the final 4, even if those teams got crushed from there.

(72 words)

c. Hamilton has a population of roughly 5 people. Where would you relocate the franchise?

As a Hamiltonian, I take offense to this question and refuse to relocate an original SHL franchise, especially one with so much success throughout their existence. However, to play along, let's relocate them to Niagara Falls. It's still close enough to Hamilton that the fans will stay loyal and the city is super cool to visit. It would be a great spot for fans to travel to, home and visitors.

(70 words)

d. Who is the best player to NOT make the final in the past 2 years?

I'll go with Ryan Shepard. In Season 61 and 62, he finished 6th and 3rd in league scoring respectively. However, both times his Chicago team lost to the Renegades in the Conference Semis. A brutal way for your season to end, two seasons in a row! He even had huge help this season with points leader Ryuuji Minamino. Didn't matter, Texas had their number and leaves Shepard with individual success, but no team success.

(74 words)

Task 12: (3 TPE)

Claim 3 Milestones for 3 TPE